Dutchmen pole vaulter Jarret Keller (right) works on his vaulting mechanics during a recent camp held at Dutchmen Field last week.

They earned their trip to Michigan by finishing in the top four of their respective divisions at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Region 8 Meet held at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin last weekend.

“It will be exciting to get to compete with some of the best athletes in the nation in Michigan,” Dutchmen pole vaulter Jarret Keller said. “There were a lot of people there and I feel fortunate to have finished in the top four and earn a trip to the national meet.”

Keller placed third in the young men’s division by clearing 12’. He also finished behind state champions from Arkansas and Kansas.

“This was a good experience for Jarret,” OHS principal and father Kurt Keller said. “There were over 3,000 people in the stands and it was a great day for all of our Owensville student-athletes competing.”

Hofstetter finished fourth in the intermediate women’s division by vaulting 7’6’’.

“To get a chance to compete against the best in the nation at pole vaulting will help me later on in high school,” Dutchgirl pole vaulter Taylor Hofstetter said. “Getting to compete in another state will be fun and I’m fortunate to get this chance after competing against a lot of good athletes at the regional meet.”

Other Owensville athletes competing in Joplin included David Koppelmann in the steeplechase and the decathlon. Complete results of the meet were unknown as of press time.